The swedish black metal band Marduk has announced they are finishing the recording of their new album called "Serpent Sermon". It will be released this spring, and a listening session has been sheduled in stockholm on february 11 for journalists. More informations to come...

The stoner/doom british band Orange Goblin come back with a new studio album. "A Eulogy For The Damned", coming out february 13 by Candlelight records will have a cd version and a colored vinyl in limited edtition.

It's alreadly possible to discover below the "Red Tide Rising" vidéo, first song of the album.

Tracklist :

01. Red Tide Rising
02. Stand For Something
03. Acid Trial
04. The Filthy & The Few
05. Save Me From Myself
06. The Fog
07. Return To Mars
08. Death Of Aquarius
09. The Bishops Wolf
10. A Eulogy For The Damned

The saga from conflictual relationships between Black Sabbath and their drummer Bill Ward will for sure know a lot new episodes. After Black Sabbath indicated "we have no choice but to continue recording without him..." it's Bill Ward's turn to talk to the fans :

"Dear Sabbath Fans,

This is Bill. I just wanted to humbly thank you all. Your support from across the world has given me further strength and hope for a positive resolve. I have been moved and overwhelmed by the thousands of messages. I love you all.

Canadian Heavy Metal band 3 Inches Of Blood gave information on their new album. This one is called "Long live heavy metal" and will be released on march 26 in Europe an 27 in North America by Century Media. The album has been produced by Terry "Sho" Murray (City of Fire, Exhibitionists).

It is with a sense of profound loss and tragedy that the members of GWAR must announce the passing of their longtime guitarist and beloved friend Cory Smoot, also known to thousands of metal fans worldwide as Flattus Maximus. Cory was found deceased this morning as the band prepared for a border crossing. There is no word as to the cause of death and the members of GWAR are completely shocked and devastated that this has occurred. At this point there is no word on arrangements and the disposition of the remainder of GWAR's current North American tour, nor are there any details regarding long-term plans. At this point we are just dealing with the loss of our dear friend and brother, one of the most talented guitar players in metal today. We ask that our fans and the media be respectful of our request for privacy for those that have suffered this terrible loss. A full statement will be coming in the next day or so, in the meantime please give your thoughts and your prayers to Cory, his family, and all the people that love him.

We share our deepest thoughts to his family and closest friends, as well as to Gwar.

Insomnium official web site just announced that Ville Vänni, their guitarist, will soon resign from the Finnish band. After 10 years within the band, Ville says he doesn't have enough time anymore to juggle his career as a surgeon, his personal life (his wife will soon give birth to their first child), and Insomnium.

Vanhala (Omnium Gatherum) will replace Ville Vänni after a few last shows in Finland.

Here is the public message of Ville to the fans and the band :

"Dear all,

Time is now ripe to share the news about line-up changes in the Insomnium camp. With a heavy heart I have reached the decision to resign from Insomnium. The decision is mutual and final, and there is no big drama behind it.

During the last year I have found myself in a limbo of constant lack of time and impossible schedules. Combining a general surgeon’s career with a busy metal band like Insomnium has already taken years of precise timing, and the candle has been burning from both ends for years now. At the same time, Insomnium has grown bigger demanding more and more time. As a result, I have gradually come to a painful realization that I can not meet the needs of this roller coaster ride any more.

This decision was hard to make and accept for all of us. Insomnium has been like a family and the band mates have been (and will still remain) my best and closest friends. For not being able to give my 100% would only be letting them down. The reason why this decision is made flesh right now is that I will not be able to attend the One For Sorrow European tour. My wife is due to give birth to our first son and it is my responsibility, duty and choice to be home at that time. I will play two first shows in Finland and then bid farewell.

However, the burden of this decision is lightened by the fact that Insomnium will go on and even grow stronger after my retirement. Markus Vanhala from Omnium Gatherum will take my place as a full-time guitarist in Insomnium. He is a good friend and an excellent musician and has already been replacing me and Ville F. on several occasions.

Thank you Niilo, Ville and Markus for a decade of good times and a lifetime of friendship and unforgettable memories. And thank you all Insomnium fans, it is you who made this all possible! See you on the coming shows!"

And here is the reply of the band :

"We all want to thank Ville for everything and totally support him with his decision. We've been together for ten years with this line-up and it has been a great ride. We've been a band of brothers, we've been a family. Nothing will ever change that.

This is the beginning of a new era for Insomnium. Sometimes a change is needed to keep the band going. Luckily we have got the best possible man to fill the vacancy, our good friend Markus Vanhala, who is best known as the songwriter and lead guitarist of Omnium Gatherum. Markus will naturally continue in Omnium Gatherum and unfortunately our tour schedules collide in November when OG is participating the Neckbreaker's Ball. As a result, we’ll have Tuomas Jäppinen as a second guitarist for the first seven evenings of the tour. Tuomas is also our old buddy and he is best known as the songwriter and lead guitarist of Enter My Silence. Tuomas is doing us a huge favour in delivering a killer show every night. So, make sure Tuomas feels welcomed when he hits the stage! Markus will join our ranks in München and play all the German shows on the tour.

Dear friends, do not take these news too heavily. Insomnium is not dying or withering away - we will be stronger than ever and we will keep touring and making new music. Give Ville Vänni the kind of farewell shows he deserves and come to see us perform in Joensuu on Nov 4th and Helsinki on Nov 5th. Then come and meet the new gang on the Euro Tour. See you soon!"

Dave Mustaine and its colleagues from Megadeth offer us a world premiere of their upcoming album TH1RT3EN.
The album is scheduled for a release via Roadrunner Records, in early november.
The track is "Black Swan", wich was a bonus song written for the members of Megadeth fan club that pre-ordered the album "United Abominations" in 2007.

Helmuth Lehner, vocalist of Belphegor had an surgical operation on the beginning of october after their south american tour.
As he is now recovering from this difficult operation, all their previously announced shows until May 2012 are canceled.

Kirk Windstein, guitarist of Down, said the band would enter the studio at the end of the month. However, it will not be in order to write an album !
Indeed, the band will instead record four EPs, each with a different aspect: one rather heavy, another inclined to doom, etc..

The guitarist has justified this approach by explaining that today, no one wants to spend that much money in a CD as it's too expensive, and everyone prefers to download it for free. However, as an EP is cheaper than a CD, the guitarist hopes this will motivate the public to buy the EPs and not to download them !

Reminder:
As former bassist Rex Brown is no longer in the band, Patrick Bruderer (Crowbar) is now Down's bassist.

The promotion video of Lucifer, from the album Evangelion by Behemoth, is now available. Two versions were created by Behemoth, one slightly censored to avoid offending overly sensitive people, and another uncensored.

Vocalist Nachtgarm (Negator) has joined the Swedish black metal band Dark Funeral.
Commented guitarist Lord Ahriman:
"I think I can speak for everyone in the band and say that besides completely knocking us down with the strength of his vocals and wide register, what truly blew us away was his presence, energy and the amazing spirit he showed during the final audition. He just came into the rehearsal room, found and took his rightful spot. And then just set the whole place on hellfire! It's really hard to explain 'that' certain feeling one is looking for, but once you get it, you just know that you've found the right man for the job. And that is something we all got 'deluxe.' No doubt about that!

Mankind has no idea what is coming upon them. And I can't wait to bring this maniac on tour for the world to experience DARK FUNERAL in the most intense and hellish way ever!

During the 10 month we have been looking for a new vocalist and drummer, we have received over 1000 applications. The interest to join DARK FUNERAL has been way over expectation and quite overwhelming to say the least. And we would like to take this opportunity to thank EVERYONE who applied for the jobs. One thing is for sure: There are a lot of unknown talents out there. And once they've found the right band to deliver their goods, I'm sure we all will hear from many of these guys in the future. Good luck!"

Guitarist Chaq Mol :
"When Emperor Magus Caligula quit the band, my first thought was, 'How the fuck will we be able to find a worthy replacement now?' In my eyes he was the best vocalist in the black metal scene. Anyhow, after we had listened through a couple of hundreds applicants, there were two guys that really stood out and sounded very promising indeed. The question now was, would they nail it on a live audition too, and would their personalities be of that kind we were looking for?! Well, after 10 month search we finally found the right man for the job! And all my previous doubts and concerns are now a memory forgotten. Nachtgarm, welcome to the horde!"

Nachtgarm:
"To me, DARK FUNERAL is the epitome of black metal. To be a member of this institution now, is not only a big honor for me, but is also complementing my work as a lead singer as well as my action at the front of the stage throughout the years. Consequently, I am very glad that DARK FUNERAL put their unholy faith in me and my abilities. As the successor of Emperor Magus Caligula, I am quite aware of the high expectations being directed to my person. However, I can assure every one of you out there, that with every breath I take I will live up to these expectations. Hands down. This is the arrival of Satan’s Empire. Now let us set this world aflame!"

X Japan have released a video for "Jade", which can be viewed below. This song comes off the group's new album, currently in the final stages of recording. The single "Jade" will be released on June 28.

US thrashers Lazarus A.D will embark on the "No Prisoners No Mercy" Tour on July 22.
Vocalist Jeff Paulick comments: “Heading back out on the road, finally we are headlining. Are we big enough to headline who knows and who the fuck cares. We finally get a chance to play all the songs we have wanted to play for a long time. This isn’t going to be some shit ass 20 minute set you can count on it. See you all at the show we can’t wait to party with everyone on the road.”

"Total War", a brand new song from US hardcore band Earth Crisis can be streamed below. This track comes from the group's seventh effort "Neutralize The Threat", which will be released on July 12 via Century Media Records.

Did you know ?
Bassist Deni Guenard of Burning Caskets almost became a member of Rotting, but declined due to distance. Years later, Deni joined Burning Caskets with now former Rotting vocalist Korey Arnold. - More info about Burning Caskets